By Joy Bianchi, Aesthetician

As an aesthetician, I always get asked the same questions: 

  • Why does my face look dull?
  • Why aren’t my products penetrating my pores?
  • Why won’t my makeup go on smoothly?

The number one answer that would solve all those problems is exfoliation! Whether you have oily, normal to combination, aging, or even sensitive skin, everyone needs to exfoliate on a regular basis. If you do not remove the dead skin cells that build up on your face, then your products are just sitting on the surface of your skin and cannot penetrate to do what they are intended to do. 

Exfoliating Products

While exfoliating is great, exfoliating products from the drugstore are not. The exfoliating components in these products are not small enough to truly exfoliate and clean out your pores, so they end up just stripping the natural oils from your skin. I used these for years and thought I was doing my skin great justice, but instead I was scratching and damaging the surface of my skin, causing it to be unhealthy and more reflective to the sun! 

Investing in an exfoliant that is sold under a doctor’s care, like here at Cahaba Dermatology, is important because it will create a clear, smooth, and even-toned complexion without causing any harm to your face. Look for key ingredients such as enzymes, fruit acid blends, jojoba beads, mushroom extract, and even lactic and salicylic acid. All of these ingredients are safe to use and provide the type of exfoliation that will leave your skin soft and glowing. Depending on the product you choose and your skin type, you should be able to safely exfoliate 2-3 times a week. 

Exfoliating Procedures

Another type of exfoliation that I love is Dermaplaning! This procedure is recommended for most skin types and is painless. Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation method that uses a sterile surgical scalpel blade to gently shave off the top layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, dead skin cells, and vellus hair (aka “peach fuzz”), leaving your skin brighter and smoother. It can be performed prior to treatments such as facials, HydraFacials, chemical peels, and even microdermabrasion. After this treatment, your makeup will go on more evenly and you will love how smooth your skin feels.

To book your appointment with one of our aestheticians at Spa Cahaba today, contact us here.